An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Michael King found that even when their son’s condition deteriorated, social workers did not relax instructions despite the council stating that the risk of any harm to the baby was low.

At no point did a social worker go to the hospital to see the situation for themselves, the report said.

Mr King said although the council could not be criticised for starting action, the care plan did not consider their baby’s emotional needs and more should have been done to review the situation.

He said: “This would have been a horrifically stressful time for the family, at a time when their world must have felt like it was falling apart.”

At the final court hearing 11 weeks after their son had died, the council withdrew the care order in respect of their other children and said although the baby’s injuries were unexplained, they could not be attributed to the parents.

The council said it “apologised unreservedly to the family” and fully accepted recommendations made by the ombudsman.

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